A single day for lies….
It was the season for slave trade in an Arabian city.. The marketplace
was crowded with people exhibiting their black slaves for sale and also people
eager to purchase them.. Just like a cattle market.
A trader was waxing eloquent about the capabilities of his
merchandise.
“ This kafir is just
eighteen years, with a healthy body and very healthy teeth. See his muscles like iron. He can do all errands. He can carry luggage,
chop wood, cook and do everything you want.
He eats very little and sleeps
still less. I reckon his price in the open market is as high as 2000
dirhams. But I would gladly offer him to
anyone for 1000 dirhams.”
“Why the special
offer” Came the queries
“I want to confess that the fellow has a slight defect. He will tell lies on one day in a year.” Confessed the dealer.
“ What is so big about it?
Most of us gentlemen tell
lies, small or big.. More so, the
menial slaves.” Was the general opinion of the onlookers.
A wealthy Arab businessman purchased the slave and led him
to his house. The deal was very successful for the businessman far beyond his expectations,
so it would appear The slave was very genial, obedient and
always an eager worker. He doted
on his master, mistress and their two children.
Then the day of reckoning came.
It was new year’s day
. The businessman was throwing a party
to all. The new slave was in the vanguard
in making all arrangement., cooking
food, sweetmeats, preparing sherbets,
conducting the guests to their seats and running through a hundred other errands.
The party was just
starting the and family had not yet reached.. The master noticed that the
provisions available might run out of stock after some time and instructed the slave to go
home and fetch fresh supplies.
The slave set out atop
a mule.
En route, the realization dawned upon the slave that it
was his day for telling lies. He lost no time in executing his plans. He tore off his garments and the scanty hair,
started beating with both hands on his chest..crying loudly..” The wall near the hall capsized and my master had been
crushed to death.. My master is gone.. How am I to live now”.. To add greater
effect he beat the mule hard and the animal also joined the chorus.
It was a pathetic
sight for the mistress and the children.
Learning about the death of the master of the house, the lady and the children started crying.
They tore off their clothes and started destroying the valuables available in
the house. The slave also heartily lent
his hands in such destruction.
He further suggested
that the mistress and the children should rush to the Khasi to report the death. The slave said he would go back ahead of them
to the hall where the master was lying dead.
The slave rode back to the master continuing to wail and
beating his breasts, and reported that the mistress and the children were
killed when their carriage was destroyed after hitting another cart and they
were lying dead on the
road on their way to the party..
The master was shocked, and started his own wailing. He cancelled the party. People who had gathered around started
consoling him, but the businessman was beyond any consolation.
Meanwhile the family had gone to the khazi, and the khazi assembled as many people as he could and along with the family of the businessman, all made a beeline to the
spot where, according to the slave’ the wall
has crushed his master.
The procession, when it reached the spot of alleged tragedy,
found the owner of the slave alive and kicking but in a state of complete disarray, mourning
over the loss of his family. The slave
was also sitting on a corner, sadness
writ large on his face and demeanour.
Seeing his family fully alive and healthy, the Arab was bewildered.
He shouted at the
slave, “You fool, what have you done?” .
And he started beating the slave with a
whip.
“No, master, you cannot punish me.. Have you forgotten what my earlier master had
said about my habit of telling lies on a
single day every year.. This is that day.
And you must understand that I
was sold for half my real price for this reason alone. I may
remind my master that it is only mid-day now and more time is left in the day.”
The Arab thought. “
The wretched slave has created so much of damage within a few hours.. What
would happen if he stays with me for the whole day?”
The very thought sent shivers along his spine, and he drove
away the slave without any second
thoughts.
No comments:
Post a Comment